Islander backlash warning on Folau

A former Wallaby believes rugby could face a backlash from the Pacific Islands over Israel Folau.

Israel Folau (right) has received support from the likes of (clockwise, from top left) Mark Gerrard, Samu Kerevi, Billy Vunipola and Taniela Tupou.

Former Wallaby Mark Gerrard believes Rugby Australia could face a backlash from its Pacific Islands support base if Israel Folau is sacked over his controversial comments about homosexuality.

Gerrard, 36, who like Folau is of Tongan descent, criticised the Wallaby fullback for publicly airing his religious views but said the polarising issue had been blown out of proportion.

The utility back who played 23 games for the Wallabies between 2005 and 2007 told The Aust­ralian that Australian rugby’s substantia­l Pacific Islands suppor­t base, containing many devout Christians, could feel marginalise­d if Folau’s four-year, $4 million contract with Rugby Australia was torn up after a code-of-conduct hearing on Saturday.

“I guarantee, if they take this hard stance against Izzy, a lot of the islander boys out there playing, they will be in the same boat and they will be happy to walk away from the game purely becaus­e of that reason in support of Izzy,” Gerrard said.

The devoutly religious Folau was warned last year after he posted remarks on social media that suggested homosexuals were destined to go to hell.

Last month he posted similar comments to his Instagram page, which is followed by 351,000 people­, warning that “drunks, homosex­uals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” would end up in hell becaus­e they were “living in sin”.

Should Rugby Australia sack Israel Folau over his social media posts?

Posted by The Australian on Wednesday, 1 May 2019

Several international rugby players, including Queensland Reds captain Samu Kerevi and Brisbane-born England backrower Billy Vunipola, were caught up in the scandal by “liking” Folau’s post.

Folau’s fellow Wallaby Kerevi, who was born in Fiji, felt the need to apologise to his followers after he shared a post on his Instagram page over the Easter weekend praising Jesus.

Young Reds prop Taniela “Tongan Thor” Tupou came out in defence of Kerevi this week, saying all Pacific Islander rugby players shared Christian beliefs.

“Seriously,” Tupou wrote. “Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs.

“I will never apologise for my faith and what I believe in, ­religion had (sic) got nothing to do with rugby anyways #TYJ.”

Gerrard believes Folau should face a “substantial” financial penalty­, with the money going to a charity or into grassroots rugby.

“There has to be some sort of consequence regarding what (Folau’s) said because you can’t have somebody of that sort of public figure saying what he’s said with young players who look up to him,” Gerrard said.

“At the end of the day, these blokes are contracted to play rugby, they have to realise that.

“They have to realise they are entitled to their religious background but at the same time there is a time and place to voice (their opinions).

“If you’re going to be a professional athlete, that’s what you chose to do, if not, become a minister if that’s what you want to do.”

Gerrard said the off-field drama had been “given a lot of airtime” and was dragging rugby “through the mud” but had been blown out of proportion.

“We tend to have double stand­ards when it comes to people­ who have done a lot worse who are still playing,” he said. “We’re allowing players who have been convicted of drug posses­sion to still play our game.”